RAIL LINK WITH BURMA ROAD

Southland Times, Issue 24684, 4 March 1942, Page 5

RAIL LINK WITH BURMA ROAD

TRAFFIC RESTORED (Rec. 5.30 p.m.) MANDALAY, March 2. Travellers from Rangoon said that traffic was still moving along the southern rail link with the Burma Road and also that the Imperial defenders were mopping up isolated Japanese patrols west of the Sittang in northeast Burma. It appears, therefore, that the Japanese success in cutting the railway leading to the Burma Road north of Pegu was temporary. The Japanese, in a surprise attack overcame a British patrol, but were soon mopped up. The Associated Press reports that British patrols ambushed two small groups of Japanese north of Pegu. They killed most of them and took the rest prisoner. This is an indication that the British lines in that sector are holding firmly. According to authoritative quarters in London the Allied forces are still west of the Sittang river and the Japanese have not yet developed any big attack. The Japanese forces have apparently been treated rather roughly both in the land fighting and in the air and it will take time for them to stage further advances. JAPANESE REPULSED 1 A Chinese communique announced that the Japanese were repulsed after landing near Siangshan in the Chekiang province. The landing made was of some extent and from small steamers convoyed by three warships. After encountering fierce resistance the Japanese retreated towards the steamers. Observers believe that the Japanese were searching for possible secret air bases.